Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil director Nithish Sahadev: It is a big thing for a Malayalam director to get a Pongal release

Nithish Sahadev makes his Tamil debut with Jiiva-starrer Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil, a 2026 Pongal comedy, calling the festival release a dream milestone in his filmmaking journey

Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil director Nithish Sahadev

Director Nithish Sahadev, who had made his debut with the 2023 Malayalam film Falimy, will be helming his first Tamil film, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil. Starring Jiiva in the lead role, the upcoming Tamil film will be a comedy entertainer, which is gearing up for Pongal release. Owing to the postponement of Jana Nayagan due to the ongoing censor row, Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil has preponed its release from January 30 to January 15. However, for Nithish Sahadev, it is a dream to get a Pongal opening for his debut Tamil feature. As he speaks to OTTplay amid the final works of Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil, he says, “It is a big thing for a Malayalam director to get a Pongal release, because I know how hard it is getting a festival release!”

What did Nithish Sahadev say about his Tamil debut?

On making his Tamil debut, Nithish Sahadev says that the language presence always lingered in his household. “My mother is from the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, and she is a Sivaji Ganesan fan. So, I have watched Tamil films and have always aspired to make a Tamil film. I have also stayed in Chennai to learn filmmaking. But when I got a small break with Mamukka’s project, I decided to do a film in Tamil with a small concept I had. And everything fell into place,” he says.

Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil kick-started with actor VTV Ganesh getting in touch with Nithish to remake Falimy. While that did not materialise, they met in Chennai and also got a call from Jiiva after watching Falimy on OTT. The filmmaker adds, “He had said that we will work in future, and at the same time, VTV Ganesh suggested Jiiva’s name for this story. Soon, the producer came on board, and Jiiva too liked the story. That is how it happened. When I met him, he was very updated on the latest releases and a very jovial person as well.”

Also read: 5 Tamil films to watch in theatres for Pongal 2026: From Theri re-release to Vaa Vaathiyaar

He calls Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil an emotional comedy entertainer, where Jiiva plays a local councillor who is to conduct a wedding. He adds, “There are many characters in the film and the story centres around everyone. There is a chaos that happens overnight, and how everyone responds to it… the drama that happens is the story. There is also a small message.”

‘Malayalam audience now don’t want realistic movies but want theatrical experience’

Having worked in the Malayalam film industry and now working in Tamil film, did Nithish have to change his script to adhere to the sensibilities of the audience? The filmmaker answers, “There are some little changes, but I have pretty much stuck to the same. I know the Tamil audience, and even in Malayalam, the films that have succeeded here have been accepted in Tamil as well. So, I have kept it subtle, raw, and followed by techniques only. In a few areas, I elevated slightly.”

Meanwhile, Nithish also talks about the recent Tamil release Sirai, which had impressed him. “Had it released in Malayalam, people would have talked more about it. If you take the hit films of 2025 in Malayalam, those would have cliché stories with nothing new, but made on a grand and big scale. It is either that or mystery films in which the audiences are hooked on suspense. The Malayalam audiences now don’t want realistic movies but want a theatrical experience. But in Tamil Nadu, they want any film that is good,” Nithish says.

Also read: Jiiva 47 is Jolliya Iruntha Oruthan: Jiiva, Rajesh and Yuvan Shankar Raja reunite; title teaser pokes fun at Ilaiyaraaja, LCU

Back to Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil, asked about his biggest takeaway of working in a Tamil film, the filmmaker says, “Good human beings. More than respect, they give a sense of belonging and are a lot more professional. Wrapping up this film in 44 days, I missed shooting for the film. The emotional connect is the biggest takeaway.”

Up next, Nithish will be resuming his project with Mammootty, a gangster actioner that will soon start. Concluding the conversation, Nithish says he wants to do something new with very film. “Falimy is a feel-good, light-hearted film, TTT is a story of multiple characters and has a different making. With Mammootty, it is a totally different making. I look forward to this year!”

Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil FAQs

Q. What is Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil release date?

A. Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil is set to release in theatres on January 15.

Q. Who is director of Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil?

A. Nithish Sahadev of Falimy fame has directed Thalaivar Thambi Thalaimaiyil.

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